IFC Goes On Cannes Buying Spree

IFC Goes On Cannes Buying Spree

IFC Films is on a buying tear. While the company is usually scouring Cannes for new foreign titles, they’re announcing various deals to acquire American independents on the Croisette as they prepare for the international debut of David Lowery’s Sundance hit “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints” in Critics Week on May 18.

IFC obviously had been talking about acquiring U.S. rights from to Ari Posin’s “The Face of Love” since its well-received SXSW debut (under the title “The Look of Love,” the same title as the IFC Sundance pickup directed by Michael Winterbottom). The romantic mystery stars Annette Bening as a widow who falls hard for an art teacher (Ed Harris) who doesn’t know that he happens to be a dead ringer for her late husband. Robin
Williams, Jess Weixler and Amy Brenneman also star in the film produced by Bonnie Curtis and Julie Lynn
at Mockingbird Pictures. IFC is planning a
September 2013 release. Exclusive Media is handling
international rights to the film.

“Arie Posin has made a
film that is not only incredibly poignant but also familiar to anyone
who has lost a loved one,” said Jonathan Sehring,
President of IFC Films/Sundance Selects.

IFC Films also took U.S. rights to Kat Corio’s Tribeca entry “A Case of You” from Lagniappe Films. Written by the film’s leading man and producer Justin Long, his brother Christian Long, and Keir O’Donnell, the milennial romantic comedy stars Long as a young writer with a crush on Birdie, the barista at his local coffee shop (Evan Rachel Wood). He doesn’t get far wooing her in person so he resorts to an exaggerated online profile–which works. Sam Rockwell, Peter Dinklage, Busy Philipps and Sienna Miller also star.

“A Case of You”was produced by Long and O’Donnell with Holly Wiersma and Logan Levy, and was executive produced by Brice Sanderford and Cassian Elwes. “’A Case of You’ is a heartfelt romantic comedy for the generation who has taken to finding love online,” said Sehring.

IFC also recently acquired North American rights to another Tribeca title, Scott Coffey’s comedy “Adult World,” which
stars Emma Roberts as an aspiring poet in need of cash who takes a day
job at her local sex shop. IFC is planning a day-and-date theatrical and VOD release for the film, which is penned by Andy Cochran, and also stars John Cusack, Cloris Leachman, Evan Peters, Armando Riesco and Shannon Woodward.